Simon Lyons: “FA Vase run is beyond our wildest dreams”

Coleshill Town are gearing up for their first ever FA Vase semi-final, where they will play the competition’s favourites South Shields. The club’s manager Simon Lyons is delighted by the progress his team has made in this year’s competition.

“As a club, we like to prioritise the league but still try to go on a bit of a run in the Vase. The club has only got to the last 16 before, which was good financially and for the PR of the club, but to get this far is something beyond the club’s wildest dreams really.”

Lyons was promoted to First Team Manager in November having previously acted as both Reserve Team Manager and First Team Assistant Manager at the club. His side recently went on a run of 14 consecutive victories, a run that only ended at the weekend with a 2-1 defeat to Shawbury United. Despite their recent form, Lyons is fully aware of the threat Shields will pose.

“They’re heavy favourites for the competition outright. We’ve (Lyons and two other members of the coaching staff) been able to watch them a couple of times and there’s lots of footage on both their website and YouTube. We’re just trying to build a really good image in our heads of how they’re going to play and who plays for them.”

South Shields have a former Premier League player in Julio Arca in their ranks and Lyons is well aware of the quality he possesses, “He is instrumental for them and a quality player, he’s been at a very high standard so we’re going to have to combat him on the ball but we won’t be intimidated.”

Coleshill are second in the Midland Football League Premier Division, nine points behind leaders Alvechurch, who Lyons admits will be difficult to catch.

“As long as it’s mathematically possible we’re going to keep going. Obviously it’s in Alverchurch’s hands and we’ve got to rely on them to a certain extent. We’re playing well, we’d won 14 in a row before Saturday and if we can put another run together between now and the end of the season, we won’t have failed through a lack of trying on our part.”